Special Valentine's Day ideas when you're married with kids

Michele Borboa, MS is a freelance writer and editor specializing in health, fitness, food, lifestyle, and pets. Michele is a health and wellness expert, personal chef, cookbook author, and pet-lover based in Bozeman, Montana. She is also...

If you're married with children, don't think the romance of Valentine's Day is gone with the wind. Here are a few easy ways to keep your love alive.

If you're married with children, you may think Valentine's Day is just another one of those romantic occasions you lost when your kids came into your life. However, romance doesn't have to just be you and the spouse, rose petals on the bed of a pricey hotel suite, and a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the evening. Ivana Pignatelli Aragona Cortes, a featured blogger at Modern Mom, shares a few ways couples with kids can romance each other on Valentine's Day or any day of the year.

If you're married with children, you may think Valentine's Day is just another one of those romantic occasions you lost when your kids came into your life. However, romance doesn't have to just be you and the spouse, rose petals on the bed of a pricey hotel suite, and a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the evening. Ivana Pignatelli Aragona Cortes, a featured blogger at Modern Mom, shares a few ways couples with kids can romance each other on Valentine's Day or any day of the year.

Romance is what you make it

Ivana is the founder of Princess Ivana—The Modern Princess and coauthor of the upcoming book A Simple Guide to Pregnancy & Baby’s First Year. She understands how challenging it can be to keep the spark alive when your family starts to grow. “In the beginning of a relationship, romance often does take the form of getaways, special dinners, and stolen kisses,” she says. “But over time, my marriage has matured and my family has grown... and these days, rather than receiving a box of chocolates, romance for me is an action that says I’ve been thinking of you -- desiring you.”

Ivana shares the following ideas for a wife to share with her husband that can "romance the mom" and bring you two closer together:

Instead of planning a big, fancy dinner at a trendy restaurant, wait until the kids are in bed, then light a candle and pour both of us a glass of wine.

Instead of sprinkling rose petals on the bed and, well…you know…a foot rub or a slow dance in the living room will do.

Instead of planning a weekend away, call me at lunchtime and say, “Pick up a quick lunch and meet me at the park—we’re having a picnic.”

Instead of buying me expensive lingerie, call me in the middle of the day and ask me what I’m wearing—even if you know it’s yoga pants and a T-shirt.

“These are just a few examples of what a busy mom might be craving from her partner, and of course, romance in action will look different from couple to couple,” Ivana concludes. “The important thing to remember is that creativity, thoughtfulness, and love outweigh time, money, and over-the-top effort every time when it comes to keeping the magic alive in the midst of everyday life.”